Sunday, October 9, 2011

Going to extremes as the Panthers drop to 1-4 with another heartbreaker -- a 30-27 loss to New Orleans in which the Panthers led midway through the fourth quarter.....

Best catch: Steve Smith’s 54-yard catch and run for a touchdown in the first quarter recharged a crowd that had seen Carolina fall down 10-0 in the first nine minutes.

Worst cheap shot: Safety Roman Harper coming over and drilling Smith after he had clearly crossed the goal line on that TD incited a miniature brawl and should draw Harper a fine.

Best drive: New Orleans was beautifully methodical on its final one, starting it with 7:06 left and running the clock down to 50 seconds before scoring the go-ahead touchdown.

Worst drive: The Panthers had all three timeouts and 51 seconds remaining to try and get Olindo Mare in position for a field goal to send the game to overtime. But they couldn’t advance past the New Orleans 49, hamstrung by an offensive holding call on Jordan Gross, a drop of a very difficult catch by Naanee and a lot of defensive pressure by the Saints.

Best game against former team: John Kasay (3-for-3 on both field goals and extra points) eclipsed Jeremy Shockey (three catches, 21 yards and a whole lot of exhortations to the crowd and his teammates).

Best/worst of special teams: Carolina's punt coverage was far better. But the Panthers did allow an extra point to be blocked, which should never happen.

Worst throw: Cam Newton’s very first one was picked off and allowed New Orleans to start its first drive at the Carolina 3. Newton said later this was his fault, as he threw a slant pass and Smith ran an out toward the sideline.

Best target: New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham is a star in the making and burned the middle of the defense time and again with game highs in catches (eight) and yards (129).

Best comeback: The Panthers made a game of it, taking a 27-23 lead after being down 23-13 in the third quarter.

Best weather: It was just about a perfect October afternoon – sunny, a little breeze and in the 70s. Fans deserved it after the Jacksonville monsoon.

Worst Panther coaching decision: Sending the “field-goal block” team on the field in the frenzied final seconds of the first half. With that team coming on, the Panther defense had to rush players off the field. Coach Ron Rivera called a timeout with 0:02, which he later said was a mistake and that “those three points come right on my shoulders.”

But I think if Rivera didn’t call timeout that the Panthers had too many men on the field and would have been penalized. It was an error, certainly, but if Carolina had just kept the defense on the field, I don’t think Kasay would have gotten the field goal away before the clock ran out.

As it ended up, though, that was a very critical three points in a game decided by three points.

I have to agree partially with the writer above. On 3rd and 2 the Panthers should have made getting the 1st down their main priority. Then they should have moved the ball down field with short passes and time-eating runs (with Cam or any of the running backs), get either 3 or 7 points and leave NO with little or no time on the clock.

The long pass attempt on 3rd was a foolish showboat play and put the Saints back on the field with tons of time to score.

perhaps you would rather go back to the days of draw plays on 3rd & long....they had single coverage on Smitty & were trying to win the game; it should have been executed better but I had no problem with the call...on another note we need to get going on the Fire Hurney Campaign...we have alot of second tier players & we need more first tier....get rid of Hurney before he trades all of our draft picks or picks the wrong guys next year....we can build around what we have & be a contender, Hurney doesn't know how to do that

This team, ownership, coaches, management and fans embody the term losers. Period. Cam, do yourself a favor and find a way out of Carolina as soon as possible. You are wasting your talent here. At best you might make the playoffs twice in your first ten years. Leave. As soon as you can manage it. Before you regret it...

Why did DeAngelo not touch the ball in the 2nd half. I also agree that coaching has made some questionable decisions this seasons with the games on the line. It's cliche, but I really think the Panthers are about 7 or 8 plays away from being 5-0 or at least 4-1, but poor play calls and we're 1-4

This team, ownership, coaches, management and fans embody the term losers. Period. Cam, do yourself a favor and find a way out of Carolina as soon as possible. You are wasting your talent here. At best you might make the playoffs twice in your first ten years. Leave. As soon as you can manage it. Before you regret it...

I actually didn't mind the call with 3rd and 2. It could have been a huge play but Smitty and Cam were just totally not on the same page just like the interception play. They have to communicate better. If Cam has any doubt about what Smitty is going to do he shouldn't throw it to him. On the interception Cam through it in when Smitty was flaring out and on the 3rd down play vice versa. Inexcusable.

Please exercise patience everyone, at least we don't have 'ol "it is what it is" as coach anymore, thank heaven for small favors. No more idiotic draw plays on third and long!! At the end of the day, at least we're IN games these days, and aren't getting blown out of the water due to poor game planning by 'ol "it is what it is" anymore. The Panthers are starting to turn things around and are competing well, something which we should all be thankful for. I do agree, however, that Marty Hurney makes dubious decisions as GM more often than not, and that that issue should be addressed. We should be getting far better value in the draft than what we've gotten in years past, Cam Newton being the exception to that statement, however. Rock on, Panthers!!!

I did criticize the 3rd & 2 call, but that doesn't mean I think Ron Rivera and his staff are bad coaches. It was just one mistake in a game where they didn't make many.

But look what they have done in a short time--turn a demoralized team into a fighting team that other teams now have to take seriously. The wins will come and will come in batches. This team is heading back to the Super Bowl within 5 years.

As for Marty Hurney, he brought in Cam Newton and got rid of John Fox. Nobody in this business bats 1000%. He and Jerry Richardson have turned this team around big time. Its time for a little gratitude from the fan base.

I now understand why it took such a long time before Rivera was given a head coaching position. He may be a good position coach or coordinator, but he is a terrible game manager. His poor decision making is costing us wins.

Most of the people who post on here are clueless and have never watched a football game in their lives.Yes, the coaches have made questionable calls this year. Yes, the team has made mistakes during games that have cost them wins this year. But, I have to agree with at least we don't have "it is what it is" anymore! Man, did anybody really expect these Panthers to come out and make the playoffs this year??? I know I didn't but they are definitely playing better than I , or any true fan of football has expected them to! They have been in every game they have played this year, unlike last season when I think some of the local high schools around here could have fielded a better team! Be patient with this season and see what happens. We are just a few calls and I believe a few key transaction from being a very dangerous team! GO PANTHERS!

Totally agree with that the coaching was awful ... also when will the media call out the organization about Clausen not being activated, Edwards average punt return and Everette Brown being cut. These are all wasted draft picks. Just because Cam Newton has lots of stats everything is great with the organization! Come on writers and quit sucking up to ownership. You are being used.

For what it's worth, throwing deep on 3rd and 2 with 7 minutes remaining was the worst decision of the game. Was it a rookie QB mistake or a coaching blunder? I can forgive Cam Newton, but not a coach.

Lmao, after 5 games Ron R is a horrible or terrible coach? So jackasses would you want Fox back as coach? Run, run, pass, punt all day playing not to lose? Or being aggressive and play to actually win the game? Rookie head coaches will makes mistakes, everyone does. If you can do better please send your resume to JR. This offense is 100xs better than last year. Anyway what happens if they ran the ball on 3rd and 2 and was stop? What would y'all say? He's an idiot. Were the Saintsblitzing on that play. It's funny how the defense doesn't tetany blame, letting the Saints drive 89 yards down the field for the game winning field goal. Rushing 3 guys on 2nd or 3rd and long, giving Bress all day to pass. They weren't a playoff team to begin with, not with Hurney were draft classes has been poor over the past 2years.

Speaking of "Best and Worst," you could attribute the outcome to the opening pick six, but I believe you have to take the bad with the good starting a rookie QB -- even one as good as Cam.

When is someone on the management staff going to realize the importance of Special Teams? This is two weeks in a row the point difference generated (and not generated) in Special Teams has meant the game. Blocked kicks, run-backs, even what was attributed to a time-out coaching error were all Special Teams problems; they should have known their roles to man up without having to call the T-O.

Rivera was a quota hire for the league, since heartless Jerry puts the league first and foremost above everything else, right down to the midfield logo. Rivera is an absolute dunce calling timeout like he did. We should be 3-2 at worst right now.

When is the defense going to get some blame, especially letting the Saints drive 89 yards for a game winning TD? It's a team lost. If any of us could do anybody, apply for the fm job. If not suck the he'll up about the game, it's over move on to the next game. At 9:14 pm, call Ron R a dunce right to his face instead of acting like a tough person on the Internet?

Time out with 2 seconds left in the half?! Little league coaches wouldn't make this ridiculous mistake much less a high paid NFL coach. Without those 3 gift points and Mare's missed extra point,the Panthers win, 28-27.

Ain't their a rule when the opposing team substitute the defense must be given time as well? I have seen a flag thrown on a play before. The Saints had the special reams on the field way before panthers player began to bring their guy on to the field. Good game and the team has learn from their mistakes. Loving the defense, can't say the same about the defense and special teams. When will this team learn to cover TEnds?

Let's give Ron Rivera some time before we say he's a bad coach. Everyone has to admit things are definitely more exciting then they have ever been offensively. And I think they are starting to figure out when and where to use Deangelo and Stewart effectively. But with that said they do need to realize that when the running game is clicking like it has been the last two weeks we should let the running backs pick up that 3rd an 2 that might have led to a game winning drive. This is not the time to throw in the towel fans. We are just getting started!

I love how it is now the coaches fault. LOL It is the teams fault with some questionalbe calls yes. The Panthers played well and are getting better each game. They will need this year to grow. don't expect a great season, but it is an exciting one and that is good. Newton is not perfect and yet he receives a free pass from the media no matter what he does. He is not an accurate passer, but he is getting better. Receivers are getting better, TE's are great, RB's great. Give it time. Get special teams up to snuff, head coaching experience this year and next year the Panthers will be contendors

Face it. Newton a loser. Cheaters never win. Steve "cheap shot" Smith didnt deserve that cheap shot? What a joke. He has more coming. That payback's a bitch eh little man? You been coldcocking players for yrs and getting away with it. Nomore.

Saints could have scored 40 pts but held back and at least 2 of the CP scores were luck.

Kasay says thanks for the trade and revitalized and didnt mind drilling a few in for the perpetual losers. In yo face JR and when Richardson will build him a statue at BOA?

Dont worry. New Orleans Saints will build a statue for Johnnie Boy up once they get that 2nd Super Bowl ring in Feb with the winning FG.

Drew's QB clinic was a success showing pretenders how its done and how to win as usual with finess class poise talent accuracy and intelligence that comes only with studying hard in school not cheating lying or scamming.

Losers now have hope but still losers? Close only counts in horseshoes and target practice.

STAY IN SCHOOL KIDS. STUDY HARD. GET YOUR DEGREE. PLAY BY THE RULES. DONT CHEAT. DONT BE A LOSER.

I really question the third down call. All they had to do was move the chains. long pass to Smith was a bad decision. They had not had much trouble moving the ball on the Saints. At the end of the first half why not leave the defense on the field. It was obvious that NO did not have enough time to kick the ball.

Ever notice how the Disturber never puts Scams pic on the front page in a loss but always resorts to other different ones to blame with their pics? Who they trying to kid? Dirty as hell. Scam SUX. Yea he is better than Drew Brees. Stupid ass mofoz. Loserz. Dumb as hell. Bench Scam and use the All Pro Anderson who is bigger and much sharper.On 2nd thought, keep the loser in. Panthers cursed? 8th leading scorer in the NFL John Kasay said THANK U THANK U T THANK U ...

Newton will learn from his mistakes when he is playing for much bigger cities in NY Chicago or Miami for much bigger money like 4 times what he is signed for now.And Jerry boy cant do a damn thing cuz he signed the bandit union contract and the local media morons bragged about him signing it. What a laugh.

if you mad that we lost you should be but dont blame the rookie Qb aside from the first play on pure miscommuication CAM played a nearly flaawless game he missed on a few throws but thats to be expected the TO at the end of the half was not a good look on behave of the coaches but hes a rookie to dont forget!!...i think we should have went wit the run alot more after we got the lead went back to the wildcat wit DWill but cant blame the coaches for tryin to put NO away and go for the throat!!...i would like to see Lafell in alot more he makes play Naanee always seems to mess up somehow altho he did have his best game i jus dont trust him!!...People stop hiding behind this "Anonymous" name jus to trash talk Cam callin him Scam and Scum newton thats some racist Bull we was people should leave alone dudes on 22 most of you old hatein ppl have kids his age and wouldnt want your son to be talked about that way!!...I GOT FAITH IN THE PANTHERS AND THE STAFF AND EVENTUALLY WE GONE START RUNNIN OFF GAMES BACK TO BACK THEN WHAT YALL GONE HAVE TO SAY!!!...LETS GO PANTHERS!!!!!!

I've noticed that we have Saints, Falcons and Buc fans on various Panthers blogs dissing the Panthers with the most absurd comments...Like Steve Smith deserved a late cheap hit in the endzone caused by Roman Harpers inabilities. I really believe you'll start seeing the wheels start falling off on teams like the Saints in the next year or two...It looks to me the Falcons demise is beginning slowly but its beginning...Next it'll be the Saints...when Drew gets hurt..its coming....Remember all the bad years the AINTS had..all good things do not last....Just remember that NFL South division fans...Stop dissing the teams with "inane absurd comments"...save some dignity for yourselves...You're embarrassing and sound much more of a loser in all aspects of life than any 21st century man should have...Check yourselves!And yes it was 3rd down and 2 yards but there was something happening over there the coaches saw on previous plays that would've worked if Cam threw it to the right spot.

Colts fan here doing a little fantasy homework. I did not see the panthers game yesterday, but I am seeing a lot of complaining about a deep route on 3 and 2. You guys are playing real offense now which involves risks, but big rewards. 3rd and 2has big play possibility all over it, if you got the sack for it. You want your last qb and vanilla play calling back? When you have studs, you let em' do their thing.

Colts fan here doing a little fantasy homework. I did not see the panthers game yesterday, but I am seeing a lot of complaining about a deep route on 3 and 2. You guys are playing real offense now which involves risks, but big rewards. 3rd and 2has big play possibility all over it, if you got the sack for it. You want your last qb and vanilla play calling back? When you have studs, you let em' do their thing.

i love panthers, but I never saw a worse wr as Legadu Nanee. I understand the frustration at not winning, but only checked every game and you will see that having this wr affects the game, does not produce anything. Go Panthers. YES WE CAM.

Well at least they are competitive. Last year they were not that and the only thing that changed for the most part is the QB. I also highly doubted Cam would look any better than Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen, because if it could be suspected he would, then Tebow would have been playing his rookie year as well???? My preseason guess in looking at the toughest schedule - using the pre-season expectations of what the opponents were was another 2 win season maybe 3 and a stretch for 4. Could you realistically guess they win a conference game? so there is 0-6 maybe 1-5. GB, @Indy (with Manning) @Houston another 0-3 (0-9 or 1-8) Then @Ariz, Jax, @Bears, Skins, Vikes, Titans, @Lions --- how many wins there? 1 or 2? maybe 3? That is 2, 3 or maybe 4 wins tops.

So lay off and enjoy the excitement that is here and a future with promise. Yes Cam is a rookie - as is Rivera. Maybe we need a rookie GM to bring a money-ball drafting mindset and then see if the Panthers of 2014 can be the Patriots of the 2000'a

Yea agree. Almost winning is just as good as winning espec when SS actually makes an effort now and even vertically leapt 10' straight up to catch a bad pass and run for a TD although brutally punished afterwards by Harper.

He walked toward the wrong bench but that one could have caused internal injuries. He's pretty old so he prob couldnt get out of bed today and called in sick.

Saints saftey Harper is one meanazz badazz mofo and Smith knew to steer clear. Discretion is the better part of valor.

Shame to read all the haters' posts here. I like my teams to win as much as anyone, but let's remember where they've come from. Games have been exciting… we've been in every one 'til the end…most fans stayed until the finish yesterday… when's the last time we could say that? To those dissing Rivera and Newton for rookie their mistakes at this stage, here's my suggestion: move to Denver to follow the Broncos!

Ron Rivera has made some very shaky decisions, but he is a rookie HC so it's to be expected. Same with Cam, a few bad decisions/throws have hurt us. But Hurney's continued failure is inexcusable. He has been the GM for years now and has yet to field a consistently good team. Other than Newton, whom the Panthers had no choice but to take, who has made any impact from the past few years draft class??? Everette Brown, Jimmy Clausen, Armanti Edwards (good pick, just wayyyyyyyy too high, shouldve been 4-6 round), Eric Norwood,Corvey Irvin, Tony Fiametta,all failures